Owners have filed 33 complaints
about the 2001 BMW 740IL with NHTSA between 2001 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 68
Against the median year of the BMW 740IL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 78
15.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 BMW 740IL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
618.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,950 mi
Electrical System
515.2%
Median failure at 69,950 miles
Engine & Cooling
515.2%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
412.1%
Median failure at 87,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
39.1%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
26.1%
Median failure at 105,500 miles
Steering
26.1%
Median failure at 142,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
13.0%
Median failure at 91,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
13.0%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Seats
13.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 104,000 mi
Tires
13.0%
Median failure at 54,100 miles
Suspension
13.0%
Median failure at 84,000 miles
Brakes
13.0%
Median failure at 142,325 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
832.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
624.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
936.0%
150,000+ miles
28.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2001peak 4Jun 2019
Recalls on the 2001 BMW 740IL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
10E021000
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
01V001000
TIRES:SIDEWALL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE COULD OCCUR.
Risk: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 104,000 milesGreensboro, NCFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE RETURNING FROM CHURCH TODAY MY LEFT BUTTOCKS GOT HOT...HAD THE A/C ON SINCE IT WAS WARM OUTSIDE. REACHED BACK AND IT WAS VERY HOT...THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP CAR. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL AND THROUGH TO MY PANTS. DISCOVERED THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON HIGH...HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT TURNED ON. NICE HOLE IN PANTS AND LEATHER SEAT. ANY REPORTS OF THIS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS?
NHTSA complaint #10247467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,100 milesHouston, TX1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
IN MARCH 2007 LOW COOLANT WARNING CAUSED ME OPEN HOOD AND ADD COOLANT THREE TIMES BEFORE I TOOK CAR TO BMW DEALER ,WHO DIAGNOSED CRACKED PLASTIC RESERVOIR IN RADIATOR AND SEPARATE COOLANT TANK. EACH TIME ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED DUE TO A LOT OF PRESSURE UNDER RADIATOR COOLANT CAP. NEEDED MUCH TIME WAITING BEFORE OPENING TO ADD COOLANT. THIS WAS DEFECTIVE MATERIALS AND NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BREAKDOWN. EVERY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY BOOK ON THIS BMW. MANUFACTURER DISCLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY AS CAR OUT OF WARRANTY BY FEW MONTHS. CAR HAD 54,000 MILES. PLASTIC WAS FOUND HARDENED BY HEAT AND BRITTLENESS CRACKED THE SAME. 339 OTHER BMW 740IL OWNERS HAVE FILED PETITION ON INTERNET FOR SAME CRACKED PLASTIC RADIATORS (ON BMW 740I ,AND IL MODELS BETWEEN YEARS 1995 THROUGH 2001. BMW IGNORED OUR PLEAS FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NOT EXPECTED ON PREMIUM CAR LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10191434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,100 milesHouston, TX1 injured
TIRES
IN MARCH 2007 LOW COOLANT WARNING CAUSED ME OPEN HOOD AND ADD COOLANT THREE TIMES BEFORE I TOOK CAR TO BMW DEALER ,WHO DIAGNOSED CRACKED PLASTIC RESERVOIR IN RADIATOR AND SEPARATE COOLANT TANK. EACH TIME ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED DUE TO A LOT OF PRESSURE UNDER RADIATOR COOLANT CAP. NEEDED MUCH TIME WAITING BEFORE OPENING TO ADD COOLANT. THIS WAS DEFECTIVE MATERIALS AND NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BREAKDOWN. EVERY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY BOOK ON THIS BMW. MANUFACTURER DISCLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY AS CAR OUT OF WARRANTY BY FEW MONTHS. CAR HAD 54,000 MILES. PLASTIC WAS FOUND HARDENED BY HEAT AND BRITTLENESS CRACKED THE SAME. 339 OTHER BMW 740IL OWNERS HAVE FILED PETITION ON INTERNET FOR SAME CRACKED PLASTIC RADIATORS (ON BMW 740I ,AND IL MODELS BETWEEN YEARS 1995 THROUGH 2001. BMW IGNORED OUR PLEAS FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NOT EXPECTED ON PREMIUM CAR LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10191434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, ILCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT CRASH AT 35 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR HEAD INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8016040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 142,325 milesSanford, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
"TAKATA RECALL" MY CAR BRAKE LIGHTS JUST STARTED TO STAY ELIMINATED WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO ADJUSTS ON ITS ON UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE IS WHEN THE VECHILE IS IN MOTION ON ANY HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #11221808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesPortland, OR
AIR BAGS
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES IN THE BMW 7 SERIES FROM MODEL YEAR 1995 TO 2001 HAVE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES THAT ARE FAILING AT A VERY HIGH RATE, LEAVING OWNERS WITHOUT AIRBAGS AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON. THE NEW MODULE FROM BMW IS $1400. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY TO CARS IN COLD CLIMATES.
NHTSA complaint #11128358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LCD PIXEL FAILURE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS UNABLE TO SEE SAFETY AND ENGINE WARNINGS
NHTSA complaint #11001163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesRidgefield, CT
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. .. UPDATED 12/2216 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10910839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesRidgefield, CT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. .. UPDATED 12/2216 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10910839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Netcong, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10876379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesOAK Hills, CA
STEERING
START THE CAR POWER STEERING FROZE, I HAVE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FIX THE PROBLEM OR I HAVE TO REPEAT. SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING STEERING FREEZE. I HAD HOSES LEAK, REPLACED HOSES STILL HAVE MORE LEAKS. WHILE DRIVING CAR UNSTABLE, I CHANGED TIRES PROBLEM REMAIN THE SAME. I CHECKED ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10823642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesOAK Hills, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILS (COMPUTER), I CHECKED ONLINE SEEM A LOT CAR OWNERS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH NOT EFFECTING NAVIGATION ONLY ALSO EFFECT THE AUDIO SYSTEM AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND I DID, PROBLEM STILL THE SAME. FOR A HIGH END CAR WITH LOW MILES SEEMS NOT RIGHT. A NEW COMPUTER NAVIGATION SYSTEM COST OVER $2000.00. SEEMS THE GERMAN DESIGN THOSE SYSTEMS TO FAIL TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.
NHTSA complaint #10823644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesOAK Hills, CA
SUSPENSION
START THE CAR POWER STEERING FROZE, I HAVE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FIX THE PROBLEM OR I HAVE TO REPEAT. SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING STEERING FREEZE. I HAD HOSES LEAK, REPLACED HOSES STILL HAVE MORE LEAKS. WHILE DRIVING CAR UNSTABLE, I CHANGED TIRES PROBLEM REMAIN THE SAME. I CHECKED ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10823642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesOAK Hills, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
START THE CAR POWER STEERING FROZE, I HAVE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FIX THE PROBLEM OR I HAVE TO REPEAT. SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING STEERING FREEZE. I HAD HOSES LEAK, REPLACED HOSES STILL HAVE MORE LEAKS. WHILE DRIVING CAR UNSTABLE, I CHANGED TIRES PROBLEM REMAIN THE SAME. I CHECKED ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10823642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesST Augustine, FL
STEERING
THREE YEARS AGO I BOUGHT AN AFTERMARKET CENTER STEERING LINK FOR MY CAR....MADE IN CHINA. AFTER THREE YEARS, I DETECTED SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN THE CENTER LINK WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NONE. I ORDER A SECOND ONE AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THREE MONTHS I DETECTED PLAY IN THE STEERING LINK, NOT AS BAD AS AFTER THREE YEARS, BUT THERE SHOULD BE ZERO PLAY IN THIS PART. I REPLACED IT TODAY WITH AND OEM PART AND WANTED TO REPORT THE DEFECTIVE PART WHICH IS BEING SOLD IN HIGH VOLUME ON THE INTERNET (EBAY). I BELIEVE SHOULD THIS PART FAIL COMPLETELY, IT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WILL RETAIN FOR A WHILE THE PART I REMOVED IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10671615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,900 milesCharlotte, NC
AIR BAGS
COMMON DEFECT: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. SUSPECTED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. I'VE HAD 2 BMW'S FROM THIS SERIES - BOTH WITH THE SAME ISSUE - YET NO RECALL FROM BMW - WHY? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY SYSTEM? I SEE AIRBAG RECALLS ON CARS DATING BACK TO THIS ERA. WHY NONE FOR BMW? ALSO - ODOMETER RIBBON CABLE FAILURE CAUSING PIXELS TO FAIL. NO RECALL - PROBLEM EXISTS ACROSS THE SERIES FROM 1996-2001 AND BEYOND. NO FIX - NO RECALL - NO REPAIRS OFFERED. WHY?
NHTSA complaint #10668840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,900 milesCharlotte, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COMMON DEFECT: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. SUSPECTED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILURE. I'VE HAD 2 BMW'S FROM THIS SERIES - BOTH WITH THE SAME ISSUE - YET NO RECALL FROM BMW - WHY? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY SYSTEM? I SEE AIRBAG RECALLS ON CARS DATING BACK TO THIS ERA. WHY NONE FOR BMW? ALSO - ODOMETER RIBBON CABLE FAILURE CAUSING PIXELS TO FAIL. NO RECALL - PROBLEM EXISTS ACROSS THE SERIES FROM 1996-2001 AND BEYOND. NO FIX - NO RECALL - NO REPAIRS OFFERED. WHY?
NHTSA complaint #10668840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740 IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 6 MPH, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10496766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,600 milesMemphis, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FAN CLUTCH WAS CAUSING THE COOLANT FAN TO SHAKE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE COOLANT FAN COULD POSSIBLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,600. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECAL # 01V206000. UPDATED 02/27/12
NHTSA complaint #10440587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesBerwyn, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THE PIXELS IN THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WERE PROGRESSIVELY FADING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. ONLY THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WAS DIFFICULT TO READ AND THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHETHER HE WAS DRIVING OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FAILURE WAS COMMON HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10339304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesOceanside, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740 IL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 24 TO 36 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH EXTREME FORCE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,390.
NHTSA complaint #10320216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2001 BMW 740IL. AFTER A MONTH OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD THUMP FROM BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. I THOUGHT IT COULD OF BEEN A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT LATER ON A GASOLINE ODOR STARTED TO DEVELOP IN MY GARAGE PARKING SPACE. AFTER TAKING A QUICK LOOK UNDERNEATH MY CAR, I SAW MOISTURE BUILDING UP RIGHT UNDER THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT. IT WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK AND FUEL WAS SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. DOING SOME SHORT RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL BMW I OWN. HOWEVER, NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THIS ISN'T A BROKEN WINDOW REGULATOR OR A RADIO BUTTON THAT DOESN'T WORK. IT IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10292689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLongbeach, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE PREVIOUSLY ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS IN REVERSE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10289250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesCincinnati, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO I STARTED SMELLING MILD GASOLINE FUMES EMANATING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE CAUSED BY SOME SPILLAGE WHEN REFUELING. OVER TIME THE ODOR HAS BECOME STRONGER. UPON INSPECTION BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP IT WAS ASCERTAINED THAT A CRACK EXISTED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AND SIGNIFICANT RUST WAS PRESENT. THESE DEFECTS ALLOW GAS TO SEEP OUT AND DRIP TO THE GROUND. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO ROAD/ACCIDENT DAMAGE TO THE AREA. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS FAILURE BEFORE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (7 YEARS/100,000 MILES). THE CAR HAS ABOUT 110,000 MILES. I ALSO SPOKE WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ALSO RETURNED THE SAME "VERDICT" MY CONTENTION IS FIRST THAT THIS IS A VALID AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IN ALL LIKELIHOOD EXISTED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND, THAT BMW HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE A TYPICAL FUEL TANK SHOULD NOT STRUCTURALLY FAIL AFTER ONLY 8 YEARS IN SERVICE. TO ASSURE MY SAFELY I HAVE LIMITED USE OF THE VEHICLE AND ONLY FILL IT WITH 5 GALLONS OF FUEL AT A TIME. AT THIS MUCH LOWER LEVEL IT DOES NOT LEAK. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING MY REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #10283851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLake Oswego, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN APRIL 2008 LOW COOLANT WARNING CAUSED ME OPEN HOOD AND ADD COOLANT. THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS PERFECT BUT I STILL ADDED MORE. THE LIGHT FOR LOW COOLANT WAS STILL APPEARING EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR. EVERY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY BOOK ON THIS BMW. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AFTER THIS LOW COOLANT LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THE COOLANT RELATED SERVICE. THEY COULD HAVE CHECKED THIS AND ADVISED ME OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM. CAR HAS 65,000 MILES. PLASTIC WAS FOUND HARDENED BY HEAT AND BRITTLENESS CRACKED THE SAME. 385 OTHER BMW 740IL OWNERS HAVE FILED PETITION ON INTERNET FOR SAME CRACKED PLASTIC RADIATORS (ON BMW 740I ,AND IL MODELS BETWEEN YEARS 1995 THROUGH 2001. BMW IGNORED OUR PLEAS FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NOT EXPECTED ON PREMIUM CAR LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10254676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLake Oswego, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
IN APRIL 2008 LOW COOLANT WARNING CAUSED ME OPEN HOOD AND ADD COOLANT. THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS PERFECT BUT I STILL ADDED MORE. THE LIGHT FOR LOW COOLANT WAS STILL APPEARING EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR. EVERY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY BOOK ON THIS BMW. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AFTER THIS LOW COOLANT LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THE COOLANT RELATED SERVICE. THEY COULD HAVE CHECKED THIS AND ADVISED ME OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM. CAR HAS 65,000 MILES. PLASTIC WAS FOUND HARDENED BY HEAT AND BRITTLENESS CRACKED THE SAME. 385 OTHER BMW 740IL OWNERS HAVE FILED PETITION ON INTERNET FOR SAME CRACKED PLASTIC RADIATORS (ON BMW 740I ,AND IL MODELS BETWEEN YEARS 1995 THROUGH 2001. BMW IGNORED OUR PLEAS FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NOT EXPECTED ON PREMIUM CAR LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10254676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesGreensboro, NCFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
WHILE RETURNING FROM CHURCH TODAY MY LEFT BUTTOCKS GOT HOT...HAD THE A/C ON SINCE IT WAS WARM OUTSIDE. REACHED BACK AND IT WAS VERY HOT...THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP CAR. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL AND THROUGH TO MY PANTS. DISCOVERED THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON HIGH...HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT TURNED ON. NICE HOLE IN PANTS AND LEATHER SEAT. ANY REPORTS OF THIS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS?
NHTSA complaint #10247467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,172 milesOLD Saybrook, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY GAS TANK IS SLOWLY IMPLODING...APPARENTLY, BMW IS QUITE AWARE OF THE CONDITION AS A BULLETIN WAS PRODUCED ON 11-9-2003 BASED ON A DEFECT IN ENGINEERING DESIGN OR THE HARDWARE CHOSEN. IN THE MEANTIME, MY CAR IS A FUEL TIMEBOMB - THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10245625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Novato, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR IN APRIL 06, STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS: WINDOW MOTORS, GPS SYSTEM/MONITOR, CAR KEPT DYEING WHILE STOPPED AND DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTDOWN/FAILSAFE MODE, BRAKE LIGHTS BLOWING ALL THE TIME, FUSES AND IGNITION SWITCH GOING OUT ALL THE TIME. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE ABOUT 18 TIMES IN THE LAST 26 MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WE FOUND OUT THE "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY WE BOUGHT IS NOT BUMPER TO BUMPER BUT LISTED PARTS, WHATEVER THAT MEANS; AFTER CONTACTING BMW NORTH AMERICA FOUND OUT CAR IS NOT PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED; AND AFTER HAVING OUR SERVICING DEALER PROVIDE US WITH MAINTENANCE LIST FROM VEHICLE (WAS A LEASED VEHICLE THAT STERLING SERVICED) WE HAVE FOUND THE SAME ISSUES WE ARE HAVING. THE CAR WAS A LEMON WHEN THE DEALER HAD IT BUT SINCE IT WAS LEASED THEY JUST KEPT DOING QUICK BANDAID FIXES. NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH THIS CAR THAT WE ARE PAYING FOR EVERY MONTH, HAVE SPENT OVER $5000 ON REPAIRS THAT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER AND NOW WE FIND OUT THE CAR DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR CA LEMON LAW WHICH IS CRAP BECAUSE IT IS APPARENT TO US IT WAS A LEMON IN THE BEGINNING AND STERLING KNEW IT AND SOLD US AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SERVICING DEALER SINCE JULY 08 AND THEY JUST NOTIFIED US THEY CANNOT FIX THE CAR AND THEY ARE RETURNING IT TO US "AS IS".
NHTSA complaint #10239940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.